MANCHESTER United, whose dreams of further FA Cup success ended in London two weeks ago, return to the English capital for two tough matches in four days this week, against Arsenal and Chelsea.
Victories in those two games would consolidate United's position at the top of the table and keep them on course for their fourth title in the last five seasons.
United lost 1-0 at Wimbledon in a fourth round cup replay at the beginning of the month, but have not lost in the league since November and a win over Arsenal will keep their impressive momentum going in the title race.
United lead the table with 50 points from 25 matches, a point better off than Liverpool and two better than Arsenal, who themselves could go top tonight if they beat United and Liverpool fail to beat Leeds at home.
United will be without suspended French skipper Eric Cantona for both the Arsenal and Chelsea matches, but defenders Denis Irwin and David May could return after injury.
Arsenal, who were strangely lethargic and were lucky to escape with a point from a 0-0 draw with arch rivals Tottenham on Saturday, will again be without their England goalkeeper David Seaman, and will need to work hard to retain the only unbeaten home league record in the division.
Liverpool fans will no doubt give a rousing reception to their old hero Ian Rush when Leeds take the field at Anfield - but they might not see much more of Rush apart from his participation in the pre-match warm-up.
Manager George Graham has been using him more as a substitute than an automatic first team choice these days, but could decide Rush might be the inspiration Leeds need to grab a win after Saturday's surprise home cup defeat to Portsmouth.
Newcastle, like Manchester United, are also in London. They face a West Ham team seemingly on an unstoppable nosedive towards the first division with only one win in their last 17 matches.
Hammers manager Harry Redknapp will be looking to his new £7.3 million strike force of John Hartson and Paul Kitson to start finding the goals which might yet save the club from the drop.
Newcastle will be just as keen to win to stay in the title hunt, and on current form, seem the more likely side to take all three points.
At Villa Park Coventry go in search of a victory that has eluded them for 22 years. But goalkeeper Steve Ogrizovic, 39, who first played Villa 13 years ago, believes that there would be no better time for Coventry to break that duck and climb further away from the Premiership relegation zone than" now.
"We all know how desperate the supporters are to beat Villa and to turn them over on their own patch," he said ahead of tonight's latest meeting, "and after Saturday's Cup win at Blackburn we have no reason to fear anybody. If we can show the same spirit as at Ewood Park then there is no reason we can't get the result.
Villa boss Brian Little has Andy Townsend, Mark Draper and Ian Taylor all back in contention after injuries. Striker Savo Milosevic hopes to take up again from his winner against Sunderland and banish all talk of him still being replaced at Villa Park. He insisted: "I don't let all that worry me. Why should I? I have already said that someone like Stan Collymore is a great player and it would, be great if he came to Villa.
Sheffield Wednesday's solid form is making them strong contenders for a UEFA Cup place, though, and Derby manager Jim Smith recognises another tough task for his promoted side at the Baseball Ground tonight.
Smith said: "Particularly away from home they are looking very strong, but our win over West Ham was a great boost for us and we aim to carry it on.
Away from league 0, second division Stockport County will be looking to turn home advantage into goals when they face the premier league's bottom side Middlesbrough in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final.
